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U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Program Enables Disabled to Work for Themselves

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Tuesday, June 16, 2015   

FLINT, Mich. – Earning a living in a rewarding career is part of the American dream, and the goal of an innovative Goodwill Industries program is to ensure the American Dream is accessible to everyone – including those with disabilities.

Cheryl Osborn manages the self-employment services program at Goodwill Industries of Mid-Michigan. While people who live with disabilities can't always work traditional jobs, Osborn says with the right support, tools and training, they can be very successful working for themselves.

"They're now seen as a business owner, rather than a person who is just utilizing public dollars for their existence," she says. "It means so much to them to be able to participate in their whole life."

Over the last eight years, the self-employment program has helped dozens of Michiganders with disabilities get their businesses off the ground, and the Goodwill program is currently part of this year's Art Van Charity Challenge.

A fundraising competition in which nonprofits compete to raise the most money, the top-finishing teams win cash prizes from Warren-based Art Van Furniture. The final day of the contest is Monday, June 22.

Eric Thomas' life changed forever when he was the victim of a random shooting in 1997 and paralyzed from the neck down. Four years ago, Goodwill Industries helped him write a business plan for what has become a successful company producing and selling custom apparel for people with disabilities.

"It provides an opportunity for someone to have a better quality of life," says Thomas. "They focus on the ability of a person, not on the disability."

According to Osborn, working with Thomas and others in the self-employment services program is proof changing the world begins with seeing it from someone else's point of view.

"It could be any one of us," she says. "If we really want our society to be inclusive of all people, whether it be race or gender orientation, or disability, we need to embrace everybody's differences."



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